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Introduction
This report provides an overview of the Running
Start program; data about student participation rates and academic performance;
updates on savings to families, taxpayers and the state; and new information
about national trends in dual-credit programs.
Running Start is a program that allows 11th
and 12th grade students to take college courses at Washington’s
34 community and technical colleges, and at Washington State, Eastern
Washington, and Central Washington Universities and The Evergreen State
College. Students earn both high school and college credits for these
courses. Running Start students and their families
do not pay tuition, but they do buy their
own books and provide their own transportation. Students receive both
high school and college credit for these classes, thus accelerating
their progress through the education system.
- Running Start reduces the amount of time students
spend in school, and can reduce overall college costs for students
and their families.
- Running Start continues to serve about 10 percent
of the state’s juniors and seniors.
- Running Start students perform well while they are
in the program and upon transferring to universities. In 2003-04 Running
Start students earned an average grade point of 3.14 after transferring
to the University of Washington.
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